New judge to preside over Cape Girardeau lawyer stealing case

A new judge will preside over the case against Joe Buerkle, a former Cape Girardeau lawyer charged with stealing from a trust he administered, KZIM KSIM reported.

Buerkle faces one felony count of stealing for allegedly taking $325,000 from a trust fund and depositing the money into his personal account. His attorney appeared before Judge Ben Lewis last week and petitioned for a new judge. The state Supreme Court Friday assigned Judge Stephen Mitchell from Stoddard County to hear his case.

Buerkle was the trustee of the Don Thomasson trust, set up for Thomasson's two daughters. Each was to receive about $500,000 from it. Buerkle admitted to taking $325,000 to cover personal financial problems. He surrendered his law license Aug. 6 and was disbarred a week later. He faces 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted. A new court date is pending.